Transporting equipment for containers



Aug. 11, 1964 G. R. DEMPSTER ETA-L 3,144,149

TRANSPORTING EQUIPMENT FOR CONTAINERS Original Filed June 24, 1958 8Sheets-Sheet 1 BY Mi' Z;

ATTORNEYS Aug. 11, 1964 G. R. DEMPSTER ETAL 3,144,149

TRANSPORTING EQUIPMENT FOR CONTAINERS Original Filed June 24, 19 58 8SheetsSheet 2 I NVENTORS GEORGE e. DEMPSTER WILL/AM A HERP/CH SAMUEL EHARVEY JM 1 mm;

ATTORNEYS Aug. 11, 1964 e. R. DEMPSTER ETAL 3,144,149

TRANSPORTING EQUIPMENT FOR CONTAINERS Original Filed June 24, 1958 8Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTGR S GEORGE R DEMPSTER WILL/AM A. HERP/CH SAMUEL EHARVEY ATTORNEYS G. R. DEMPSTER ETAL 3,144,149

TRANSPORTING EQUIPMENT FOR CONTAINERS Aug. 11, 1964 Original Filed June24, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 I g g INVENTORS GEORGE R. DEMPSTER WILLIAM A.HERP/CH SAMUEL 5. HARVEY BY M 1 W;

ATTORNEYS Aug. 11, 1964 G. R. DEMPSTER ETAL 3,144,149

TRANSPORTING EQUIPMENT FOR CONTAINERS 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original FiledJune 24, 1958 INVENTORS GEORGE R. DEMPSTER WILLIAM A. HERP/CH SAMUEL E.HARVEY BY l-L.

ATTORNEYS Aug. 11, 1964 G. R. DEMPSTER ETAL 3,

TRANSPORTING EQUIPMENT FOR CONTAINERS 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Original FiledJune 24, 1958 INVENTORS GEORGE R. DEMPSTER WILL/AM A. HERP/CH SAMUEL E.HARVEY ATTORNEYS Aug. 11, 1964 G. R. DEMPSTER ETAL 3,144,149

TRANSPORTING EQUIPMENT FOR CONTAINERS 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Original FiledJune 24, 1958 INVENTORS HARVEY GEORGE R. DEMPSTER WILL/AM A HERP/CHATTORNEYS Aug. 11, 1964 G. R. DEMPSTER ETAL TRANSPORTING EQUIPMENT FORCONTAINERS Criginal Filed June 24,1958

8 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTORS GEORGE R. DEMP$7FR WILL/AM A. HERP/CH SAMUELE HARWY ATTORNEYS United States Patent TRANSPGRTING EQUIPMENT FURCONTAINERS George R. Dempster, Box 3127, Knoxville, Team, William A.Herpich, Galion, Ohio, and amuel E. Harvey, Knoxville, Tenn.; saidHerpich and said Harvey assignors to Dempster Brothers, Inc., Knoxville,Team, a corporation of Tennessee Continuation of application Ser. No.744,107, June 24, 1958. This application Apr. 20, 1961, Ser. No. 106,427

11 Claims. (Cl. 214-505) This invention relates to improvements intransporting equipment for containers and more particularly for use withlarge containers of the order of vehicle bodies. This is a continuationof copending application Serial No. 744,107, filed June 24, 1958, nowabandoned.

It is often desirable to load vehicle bodies separate and apart from thevehicles on which they are to be trans ported. This is especially trueof a van-type body of large capacity which can be filled when sitting onthe ground or other surface, after which it can be picked up, loaded ona vehicle chassis and transported to a remote point where it can beunloaded or the contents discharged or removed therefrom. Then, the bodycan bbe returned to the point of filling or moved to other point wheredesired.

Various attempts have been made heretofore to provide transportingdevices for a body of this character, but these have not been entirelysatisfactory. Most of such attempts have involved the use of acable-type hoisting means, but the use of cables for this purposeprevents automatic pick up of the body, requires manual attachment ofthe cables, with attendant extra labor required, and in somemunicipalities the use of cables for this purpose is prohibited.Moreover, cable devices are objectionable for other reasons, includingthe difliculty in removing the container from the vehicle chassis bysuch a cable device.

One object of this invention is to improve the construction of equipmentfor handling a detachable body or container, for loading and unloadingthe same on a vehicle chassis.

Another object of the invention is to provide for the automatic pick upof a separate body or container, without requiring manual attachmentthereof to the hoisting means on the vehicle.

Still another object of the invention is to provide for the discharge ofthe body or container onto a dock or other elevated surface, without anytipping action of the hoisting means and under the entire control of theoperator in the cab of the vehicle.

A further object of the invention is to provide for a step-by-stepshifting of the container onto a tilting frame on the vehicle chassisand locking the body in place thereon, as well as to remove the sametherefrom when desired, all within the control of the operator in thecab and without requiring manual action at the point of attachment.

These objects may be accomplished, according to certain embodiments ofthe invention, by constructing a body or detachable container with meanson the bottom thereof which may be engaged selectively and successivelyby a shuttle action. This means preferably is in the form of opposedhooks connected with the supporting frame structure of the body orcontainer and spaced at intervals along the length thereof. Thus, thesehooks can be engaged successively by a shuttle motion in moving the bodyor container onto or off the vehicle chassis automatically under thecontrol of the operator in the cab. The body or container is soconstructed as to facilitate the sliding action thereof, both withrespect to the ground or other surface on which it may ice be sittingand along the surface of the vehicle chassis as it skids into positionthereon.

The vehicle chassis preferably is constructed with a tilting framemounted thereon adapted to receive the body or container. Provision ismade for tilting this frame to an elevated position, either forreceiving or discharging the body or container.

A carriage device is mounted on the frame so as to be reciprocatedlengthwise thereof and preferably includes a bail which can be engagedstep-by-step and successively with the several hooks on the bottom ofthe container for shifting the latter onto or off of the vehiclechassis. This shifting action can occur either when the frame is in anelevated position or when it is horizontal, flat on the vehicle bed.Thus, it is possible to shift the container onto an elevated platform orsupport without tilting of the frame or the container; or the body canbe lowered to the ground ready for refilling.

These embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a vehicle chassis and body or container,with the tilting frame elevated and in position for initial attachmentto the body;

FIG. 2 is a similar view, showing the movement of the container or bodyto its initial position on the tilting frame;

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are successively advanced steps in the positioning ofthe body on the chassis;

FIG. 6 is a similar view, showing the body tilted in dumping position;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the vehicle chassis, with the tiltingframe mounted thereon;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the tilting frame and carriage;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation thereof;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged side elevation, showing the connection of thebody or container with the front end portion of the tilting frame;

FIG. 11 is a partial plan view thereof;

FIG. 12 is a detail cross section on the line 12-12 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a side elevation, partly in section, showing the bailmounting and operating means;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic view, showing the hook and shuttle means onthe bottom of the container;

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the front end portion of the containerrunner structure;

FIG. 17 is a side elevation thereof;

FIG. 18 is a front elevation thereof;

FIG. 19 is a side elevation of a vehicle body and including means forsupporting the body in elevated position;

FIG. 20 is a detail cross section on the line 2l-20 in FIG. 14; and

FIG. 21 is a rear elevation of the modification shown in FIG. 19.

The invention is illustrated as applied to a vehicle chassis ofconventional form wherein the chassis frame is indicated generally at 1and supported by wheels 2, being power driven in the usual or desiredmanner under the control of an operator within a cab .3. The chassisframe should be of sufficient length to receive thereon and toaccommodate the vehicle body or container, although it is not necessarythat the container be located entirely forwardly of the rear wheels.

The container is illustrated generally at 4. Usually, the container isof large capacity of the order of a vehicie body, although the size andlength of the container may be varied as found desirable for thepurpose. The relation of the container with reference to the length ofthe vehicle chassis is illustrated generally in FIGS. 1 to 6 and 19 asexamples that may be used for the purpose.

Mounted on the chassis frame 1 is a tilting frame 5 capable of beingmoved to different angular positions with respect thereto, asillustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6. The tilting frame 5 projects rearwardly ofthe chassis frame 1 and has supporting brackets 6 on the rear endportions thereof extending downwardly at opposite sides of the chassisframe. The lower ends of the brackets 6 are pivotally supported at 7 onhanger brackets 8 that depend from the opposite sides of the chassisframe 1. This forms a pivotal support for the tilting frame 5 on thechassis frame 1 at the rear end portion of the latter, permitting thetilting frame to shift to the different angular positions illustrated.

The tilting frame 5 may be raised and lowered with respect to thechassis frame 1 by any suitable means, although we prefer to usehoisting cylinders, generally indicated at 9, connected with oppositesides of the tilting frame 5. These cylinder assemblies extenddownwardly from the tilting frame 5 to mounting brackets 11 on the frontend portion of the chassis frame 1, being pivotally connected therewithat 11. The cylinders 9 may be telescopic or double acting, or othersuitable cylinders, and operate in the usual manner under the action ofhydraulic or pneumatic pressure, preferably in the form of hydrauliccylinders, for raising and lowering the tilting frame 5 with respect tothe chassis frame.

As shown in FIGS. 8 to 14 and 20, the tilting frame 5 is formedpreferably of a pair of opposed channels or guides 12, suitably bracedand connected in rigid relation, as will be apparent from FIG. 8. Thechannels or guides 12 form opposed guideways. Operatively mounted withinthe guides 12 of the tilting frame is a carriage 13 supported on rollersor guide blocks 14 mounted within the guideways for movement lengthwisethereof. Pins 15 (FIG. connected with the carriage 13, extend into therollers or blocks 14, and form an operative connection thereof with thecarriage. The parts of the carriage may be welded or otherwise securedin rigid relation to each other, so that the carriage will movelengthwise in the guideways 12 adjacent the rear end of the tiltingframe 5 and may project from the rear end, as desired (see FIGS. 13 and14).

The carriage 13 is operated in a reciprocating motion by a power device,such for example, as a hydraulic cylinder, indicated generally at 16.The cylinder 16 has the piston rod 17 thereof extending to an eye 18 onthe platform or frame of the carriage 13. The opposite end of thecylinder 16 is pivotally connected at 19 with the end member of thetilting frame 5.

Also mounted on the platform or frame of the car riage 13 is a bail 20,having the opposite sides thereof mounted on a journal pin 21 thatextends through the eye 18 and through the blocks 22 mounted on theplatform or frame of the carriage 13.

The opposite sides of the bail 20 are connected together by a bar 23which is engaged by one end of a spring 24, the opposite end of whichspring 24 is received within a cup 25 securely mounted on the platformor frame of the carriage 13. This spring 24 is shown to be a coiledcompression spring, although any other suitable type of spring may beused, as desired. Means is provided for limiting the upward swingingmovement of the bail and preventing it from riding over on its pivot pin21. This means may be in any suitable form, such as a bar or the like.In the form shown, this stop means comprises a chain 26 connected at oneend with the cup 25 and at the opposite end with a bar 27 that alsoextends between the arms of the bail 20.

The bottom portion of the container or body 4 is provided with a hookbar 28 extending lengthwise thereof and which may form the center bar ofthe supporting structure of the container. This hook bar 28 preferablyextends throughout the length of the container and is provided With aplurality of hook stations spaced at inter- 4 vals along the lengththereof, as indicated generally at A, B, C and D, in FIGS. 3, 4 and 15.The number and spacing of these hook stations may be varied, as desired,depending upon the length of the container or body and the length oftravel of the bail 20.

Each of the hook stations is formed preferably of a pair of opposed openhooks 29 and 31), with a depending shuttle 31 pivotally supported at 32on the bar 28 between the hooks 29 and 30. Each of the hooks 29 and 30is formed as a recess, open toward the shuttle 31 and of such size andposition as to be engaged by the bail 26 in a manner hereinafterdescribed and illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6 and in FIG. 15. The hooks 29are forwardly of the respective shuttles, while the hooks 30 arerearwardly thereof. These respective forward and rearward hooks areadapted to be used for moving the body or container 4 forwardly orrearwardly lengthwise relative to the tilting frame 5.

The undercarriage of the container 4 is illustrated in FIGS. 16 to 18.The body of the container may be of any usual or desired constructionand should be suitably supported and braced so as to be sturdy and rigidfor handling in the manner herein described. As noted above, the hookbar 28 extends lengthwise substantially throughout the length of thebody at the center thereof, and the sides and bottom of the body aresuitably braced and supported on transverse ribs 33, according to thisembodiment, which transverse ribs 33 extend across from side to side ofthe body and are spaced at intervals along the length thereofsufficiently to assure a suitable bracing and supporting of thecontainer and its contents.

Also extending lengthwise on opposite sides of the hook bar 28 under thecross ribs 33 are channel or box sections 34 which support and brace theundercarriage structure of the body and also form runners therefor, uponwhich the body may be supported both when sitting on the ground or othersurface and when pulled lengthwise onto the tilting frame 5 of thevehicle. These runners 34 may be provided with transverse rolledsections 35 at the rear extending laterally therefrom, respectively. Atthe forward ends of the runners 34 are upturned sections 36 tofacilitate the guiding and lengthwise sliding movement of the container.

In addition to the several hook stations described, the hook bar 2% maybe provided, if desired, with an attaching hook, as indicated at 37, ina gooseneck portion 38 connected with the front end of the hook bar 28,as shown in FIG. 17. This attaching hook 357 may be engaged initially bythe bail 2G for aligning the container or body with the vehicle, or formoving the container up to the desired position relative to the vehiclebefore the connecting action takes place. It may be used also forreceiving a safety connection with the chassis, to insure holding thecontainer in place on the vehicle, if such attachment be regarded asmaterial. A hook on the container 4 for a similar purpose is shown at 37in PEG. 10.

The tilting frame 5 preferably has mounted thereon and extendinglengthwise of the members 12 body slides, indicated at 39, in positionto receive guide members 463 connected with the undercarriage of thebody 4, as illustrated in FIG. 8. The front ends of the body guides 40are flared out to assure positive centering of the body on the tiltingframe 5 when it is first brought onto the frame. As the body is broughtforward on the tilting frame 5 to the full forward position, centeringwedges 41 secured to the tilting frame 5, act to center the frame of thebody on the frame 5 of the unit. At the same time, the lower flanges ofthe body guides 40 slip under the locking bars 42 of locks 43 that aremounted on opposite sides of the tilting frame 5 at the forward endportion thereof.

Provision may he made, if desired, for supporting the body in anelevated position, as illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 21. This may bedesirable especially when the body is to be located adjacent a loadingdock or other means for filling the container in such elevated position.To accomplish this action, we have provided front and rear legs 44mounted on opposite sides of the body 4 adjacent the front and backthereof. The legs 44 may be in the form of plungers extending intocylinders 45 adapted for pneumatic or hydraulic operation, or othermeans, for projecting the legs downward from the container 4 in itsseated position on the vehicle. The cylinders 45 are shown as extendingvertically on opposite sides of the body 4 and are suitably securedthereto. When the legs 44 are projected therefrom into engagement withthe ground or other supporting surface, the body can be lifted off thetilting frame in its horizontal position, without requiring tiltingaction thereof, and the vehicle is simply driven out from under the bodyin such position.

The legs 44- may be braced, if desired, by suitable means, generallyindicated at 46, pivoted at 47 to the undercarriage of the body 4, andhaving clevis connections 48 with the lower end portions of the legs 44.

The cylinders 45 and also the braces 46 may be provided, if desired,with a series of holes 49 adapted for selectively receiving lockingpins, which may be inserted therein for locking the legs 44 either in upor down positions.

Operation The container 4 is adapted to be filled, separate and apartfrom the vehicle chassis, sitting on the ground or other supportingsurface. The structure here involved may be used for transporting thecontainer on the vehicle chassis to a remote point where it can beunloaded or where its contents can be removed, if desired, and thecontainer then returned to a point of refilling. This enables the onetruck chassis to service a number of containers, and yet it is possiblefor the containers to be of large size and capacity, comparable to thesize and capacity of a vehicle body.

In picking up or loading the container or body, the vehicle is backed upto the front end portion. of the body, as indicated in FIG. 1, and thetilting frame 5 is moved to an angle of about 45. The carriage i3 isprojected so as to move the bail 20 to its projected position, ready forengagement with the body.

If the body he provided with a gooseneck book, as indicated at 37 inFIG. 17 or at 37' in FIG. 10, the bail 20 can be manipulated intoengagement with such gooseneck hook for initial. engagement of the bodywith the tilting frame. If not thus provided with such a hook, or if itnot be needed for positioning the body, the bail can be moved intoengagement with the first hook station A on the hook bar 28. The frame 5is tilted down slightly on the pivots 7 to engage the bail 20 in theforward hook 2=3 of the first hook station A. The unit is now ready topull the body onto the tilting frame.

Upon actuation of the cylinder 16, the bail 20 is moved forward throughthe length of one stroke of the cylinder, thereby drawing the body 4lengthwise up on the tilting frame. The body or container 4 will rest bygravity in the position shown in FIG. 2, with its front end resting onthe tilting frame 5 and with the runners 35 at the rear of theundercarriage resting on the ground or floor surface during the nextstroke of the cylinder 16. Then the bail is moved back to engage theforward hook 29 of the hook station B by actuation of the cylinder 16,as illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 2. This cycle is repeated andcontinued stepby-step until the body is moved up the tilting frame 5 inthe manner illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. The bail 20 engagessuccessively the forward hooks of the hook stations B, C, D, and when inengagement with the latter, the container i shifted forward inhorizontal position to its locked relation with the tilting frame, whichpreviously has been moved down flat upon the vehicle chassis, after theweight of the container has been shifted onto the tilting frame.

By holding pressure on the cylinder 16, the bail will be held in theforward hook 29 of the final hook station D, thus locking the body orcontainer in place on the vehicle chassis, both by the locking device 43and by the action of the bail. This affords secure holding action of thecontainer during transportation.

The action of the bail in engaging successively in the several stationsis illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 15. The bail 20 is springpressed in an upward direction by the action of the spring 24 so that itrides along the lower edge of the hook bar 28. Thus, when it reacheseach successive hook station, the spring tension applied to the bailcauses it to snap up into the open hook 29. When the bail is in thisposition, the hook is engaged and the bail with the body thus attachedis now moved lengthwise forward by the carriage 13 until the body issuccessively moved step-by-step to its seated position on the vehiclechassis.

After the bail has moved the body forward during each stroke of thecarriage, the bail is then moved rearward relative to the body, beingdeflected out of the hook 29 and over the face of the shuttle 31, asillustrated also in FIG. 15. The action of the bail in pressing againstthe forward face of the shuttle 31 causes the latter to be closed overthe hook 3d of the same station and thereby permits the bail to followaround the lower edge of the shuttle and to move downward and rearwardpast the shuttle and along the lower edge of the hook bar 28 to the nextsuccessive hook station. The sequence is then continued and repeatedthrough the several hook stations until the body is in its final travelposition on the truck frame.

To reverse the cycle and push the body off the truck frame, the carriageand bail are moved rearward until the bail passes under the shuttle andreaches a position just rearward of the lower edge of the shuttle, asshown in the diagrammatic illustration in FIG. 15. When the bail hasreached that position, the cycle is reversed and the bail is then movedforward against the rearward face of the shuttle, which has dropped toits middle position by the action of gravity thereon and thereby guidesthe spring-pressed bail up into the throat of the hook 30, behind theshuttle. In this position, actuation of the cylinder 16 will cause thebail to push the body rearward through the stroke of the cylinder. Thisrearward movement is continued step-by-step through the several hookstations D, C, B and A, respectively. When the final station A has beenreached, the body is off the truck frame. During this unloading action,the frame 5 should be tilted upward, as illustrated in FIGS. l to 4,whereby the container or body will be shifted lengthwise onto the groundor other supporting surface.

It will thus be apparent that the loading, as well as the unloading,action occurs automatically under control of the operator in the cab ofthe truck, without the necessity for having a man on the ground forattachment or detachment of the container with the truck. The entireoperation can be accomplished effectively and quickly either for loadingor unloading.

If it be desired to locate the container besides a loading dock, thecontainer preferably should have suitable supporting legs thereon, anexample of which is illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 21. In this position,the operator begins to move the body olf the tilting frame 5, but assoon as the legs 44 are clear of the frame, they should be projectedinto engagement with the ground, so that the body will then rest on therear legs and on the truck frame. As soon as the truck rear wheels arejust forward of the front telescoping legs, the operator then projectsthe front legs into engagement with the ground and continues thestep-by-step releasing of the container from the tilting frame of thetruck. This operation should be carried out while gradually moving thetruck from under the container, rather than by moving the container withrespect to the truck, so that the container will rest on the front andrear legs in the desired position after being discharged therefrom.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in certainembodiments, it is recognized that other variations and changes may bemade therein Without departing from the invention, as set forth in theclaims.

We claim:

1. In transporting equipment of the character described, the combinationwith a container part having a hook station on the container at thebottom thereof, of a supporting frame adapted to be mounted on avehicle, a carriage part mounted on the frame for movement relative tothe container part, one of said relatively movable parts including abail member and the other relatively movable part including a pair ofhooks arranged in opposed relation and open toward each other, said hookstation also including a member movably supported between said pair ofhooks for deflecting the bail member alternately from the respectivehooks according to the direction of movement with respect thereto, so asto prevent the bail member from entering one hook while permitting thebail member to enter the other hook.

2. In transporting equipment of the character described, the combinationwith a container having a plurality of hook stations spaced at intervalsalong the bottom thereof, of a supporting frame adapted to be mounted ona vehicle chassis for swinging movement to raised and lowered positionswith respect thereto, a carriage mounted on the frame for guidedreciprocating movement along the frame, power means for causingreciprocating movement of the carriage, and a bail connected with thecarriage in position for successive engagement with the hook stations onthe container for moving the container step-by-step lengthwise relativeto the frame, each of the hook stations including a pair of hooksarranged in opposed relation, and also including a member pivotallysupported between said pair of hooks for deflecting the bail alternatelyfrom the respective hooks according to the direction of movement withrespect thereto.

3. In equipment mounted on a vehicle, the combination of a containerdevice adapted to be moved onto or off the vehicle, said containerdevice having a first series of engagement surfaces by which thecontainer device can be moved in one direction with respect to thevehicle and a second series of engagement surfaces by which thecontainer devices can be moved in the opposite direction, a carriagemounted on the vehicle for guided back and forth movement with respectthereto, means on the carriage for connection sequentially with theengagement surfaces of either the first or the second series, powermeans for moving the connecting means forward and into connection withone engagement surface of one series and then back to move the containerdevice one step and thereafter forward again and into connection with asecond engagement surface of said series and thereafter back to move thecontainer device a second step, and means for placing one series ofengaging surfaces in a noninterfering condition during operation withthe other series.

4. In equipment mounted on a vehicle, the combination of a containerdevice adapted to be moved onto or off the vehicle, said containerdevice having a first series of engagement means by which the containercan be moved in one direction with respect to the vehicle and a secondseries of engagement means by which the container can be moved in theopposite direction, a carriage mounted on the vehicle for guided backand forth movement with respect thereto, a connecting member mounted onthe carriage in position to engage either the first or the sec ondseries of engagement means for pulling or pushing, respectively, thecontainer device in either direction, and power means for propelling thecarriage and connecting member forward in one direction relative to thevehicle into engagement with one engagement means of one series andthereafter in the opposite direction relative to the vehicle to move thecontainer device in the opposite direction, said power means thereaftermoving the connecting member into engagement with another engagementmeans of the same series and then in the opposite direction to move thecontainer device farther in the same direction, and means for placingone series of engagement means in non-interfering condition when theother series is being used.

5. In equipment mounted on a vehicle, the combination of a containerdevice adapted to be moved onto or off the vehicle, said containerdevice having a first series of engagement means by which the containerdevice can be moved onto the vehicle and a second series of engagementmeans by which the container device can be moved off the vehicle, acarriage mounted on the vehicle for guided reciprocating movement withrespect thereto, a connecting member mounted on the carriage in positionto engage either the first or the second series of en agement means forpulling or pushing, respectively, the container device in eitherdirection, and power means for propelling the carriage and connectingmember in one direction relative to the vehicle into engagement with oneengagement means of one series and then in the opposite direction tomove the container device in said opposite direction and thereafter insaid one direction into engagement with another engagement means of thesame series and then in said opposite direction to move the containerdevice farther in said opposite direction, and means for preventing theconnecting member from engaging the second engagement means when thecontainer device is being moved onto the vehicle and for preventing theconnecting means from engaging the first engagement means when thecontainer device is being moved off the vehicle.

6. In equipment mounted on a vehicle, the combination of a containeradapted to be moved onto or off the vehicle, said container having aplurality of book stations spaced-apart beneath the bottom thereof, eachof the hook stations including a pair of hook surfaces arranged inopposed relation, a carriage mounted on the vehicle for guidedreciprocating movement with respect thereto, a bail mounted on thecarriage in position to connect with the hook surfaces, means forpreventing the bail from engaging respective hook surfaces depending onthe direction the container is to be moved, and power means including anhydraulic cylinder for propelling the carriage and bail in reciprocatingmovement into engagement of the bail with a hook surface of one hookstation to move the container in one direction, and to disengagetherefrom and thereafter to engage the corresponding hook surface ofanother hook station to move the container farther in the samedirection.

7. In equipment mounted on a vehicle, the combination of a containeradapted to be moved onto or off the vehicle, said container having aplurality of hook stations spaced-apart thereon, each of the hookstations including a pair of hook surfaces arranged in opposed relation,a carriage mounted on the vehicle for guided reciprocating movement withrespect thereto, a bail mounted on the carriage in position to engagethe hook surfaces, means for preventing the bail from engagingrespective hook surfaces depending on the direction the container is tobe moved, said means comprising a shuttle pivotally supported betweeneach opposed hook surface, and power means for propelling the carriageand bail in reciprocating movement whereby the bail engages a hooksurface of one hook station to move the container in one direction,disengages therefrom upon movement guided by the shuttle and engages thecorresponding hook surface of another hook station to move the containerfarther in the same direction.

8. In equipment mounted on a vehicle, the combination of a supportingframe mounted on the vehicle for swinging movement to raised and loweredpositins with respect thereto, a container adapted to be moved onto oroff the frame, said container device having a first series of engagementmeans by which the container can be moved in one direction with respectto the vehicle and a second series of engagement means by which thecontainer can be moved in the opposite direction, a carriage mounted onthe frame for guided reciprocating movement with respect thereto, aconnecting member mounted on the carriage in position to engage eitherthe first or the second engagement means for pulling or pushing,respectively, the container device in either direction, means forplacing one series of engagement means in non interfering condition whenthe other series is being used, and power means for propelling thecarriage and connecting member in reciprocating movement whereby theconnecting member engages one engagement means in one series to move thecontainer device in one direction, disengages therefrom and engagesanother engagement means in the same series to move the container devicefarther in the same direction.

9. In equipment mounted on a vehicle, the combination of a supportingframe mounted on the vehicle for swinging movement to raised and loweredpositions about an axis spaced rearwardly thereof, a container mountedon the frame, said container having a plurality of hook devices spacedalong the bottom thereof lengthwise of the supporting frame, said hookdevices having open throats toward the rear of the vehicle, a carriagemounted on the frame for movement back and forth therealong, saidcarriage having a bail thereon including a portion disposed in embracingrelation around one of the hook devices and in the throat thereof, powermeans for moving the carriage inwardly along the supporting frame withthe bail in one position for engagement with one hook device of saidplurality to move the container inwardly of the vehicle one step alongthe supporting frame and thereafter moving the bail outwardly and intoengagement with a second hook device of said plurality for moving thecontainer inwardly in a second step, and means for lifting the inner endportion of the supporting frame for discharging the container therefrom.

10. In a device of the character described for moving a container, thecombination of two relatively movable parts, one of said parts having abail thereon and the other relatively movable part having a hook stationcomprising a pair of hook members in opposed relation to each other andopen towards each other to receive the bail in either hook, a shuttlebetween said hook members, and means mounting the shuttle to swing theshuttle over each of the respective hook members closing it off toprevent the bail from engaging one hook member while allowing the bailto enter and engage the other hook member to move the container.

11. A container structure of the character described comprising anelongated hook bar, said hook bar having a plurality of hook stationsspaced at intervals therealong, each of said hook stations including apair of hook members in opposed relation to each other open to thebottom edge of the hook bar, and a shuttle suspended between the hookmembers, said shuttle adapted to swing over a hook member closing it offto prevent a connecting device from entering the hook station, oradapted to allow the connecting device to enter the hook station toengage one of the hook members for causing movement of the container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,280,141 Bonner Oct. 1, 1918 1,736,935 Navarre Nov. 26, 1929 1,821,327Scott Sept. 1, 1931 2,521,727 Kappen Sept. 12, 1950 2,591,153 HodgesApr. 1, 1952 2,708,047 Seidle May 10, 1955 2,728,471 Jones Dec. 27, 19552,867,339 Nelson Jan. 6, 1959 2,963,185 Jones et al. Dec. 6, 1960

9. IN EQUIPMENT MOUNTED ON A VEHICLE, THE COMBINATION OF A SUPPORTINGFRAME MOUNTED ON THE VEHICLE FOR SWINGING MOVEMENT TO RAISED AND LOWEREDPOSITIONS ABOUT AN AXIS SPACED REARWARDLY THEREOF, A CONTAINER MOUNTEDON THE FRAME, SAID CONTAINER HAVING A PLURALITY OF HOOK DEVICES SPACEDALONG THE BOTTOM THEREOF LENGTHWISE OF THE SUPPORTING FRAME, SAID HOOKDEVICES HAVING OPEN THROATS TOWARD THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, A CARRIAGEMOUNTED ON THE FRAME FOR MOVEMENT BACK AND FORTH THEREALONG, SAIDCARRIAGE HAVING A BAIL THEREON INCLUDING A PORTION DISPOSED IN EMBRACINGRELATION AROUND ONE OF THE HOOK